The project stirred up some controversy with town officials expressing concerns about traffic and potential police calls.

Mill Creek Residential Trust, LCC, filed an application with the Board of Appeals for a comprehensive permit last Thursday.

The board was expected to set a public hearing for the project Wednesday night, according to Elaine Lazarus, planning and land use director.

There are plans before Town Meeting this year to rezone that section of town to allow for residential use, but the company has decided to apply under the state’s Chapter 40B, in which a quarter of the units have lower rents so they are affordable to households that make less than the region’s median income.

No action was taken for a similar zoning article at last year’s Town Meeting.

"The change would have allowed residential use," Lazarus said. Right now, the area is zoned for office parks.

The development, to be known as Hopkinton Mews, will consist of seven apartment buildings and six townhouse-style buildings down a private access road, according to the application.

"Due to the location of the wetlands on the site, Hopkinton Mews is organized in two separate areas connected by a bridge that is part of the entry roadway for the project," the application read.

The townhouse units will be situated closer to Lumber Street, while the larger apartment buildings will be further away from the road. A clubhouse with a fitness center and gaming area will be located in a central area.

There will be 187 market-rate units with rent ranging from $1,837 to $2,775, according to plans.

The land is owned by developer Paul Mastroianni, but is under agreement with Mill Creek.

Existing development in the area includes single-family homes, commercial development and medical buildings, according to attorney Deborah Horwitz.

The project requires approval from MassHousing, the non-profit that handles affordable housing in the state.

"The development will also help to advance equity by providing a variety of new housing options for a diverse group of renters; both renters by necessity and renters by choice," the letter read. "The development will include up to 63 affordable homes in Hopkinton, which itself and the region it is a part of are middle to upper income areas in Massachusetts that are underserved by affordable housing options."

Jonathan Phelps can be reached at 508-626-4338 or jphelps@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @JPhelps_MW.